OS: First Rains

Another loud thunder struck this time and it finally began to drizzle lightly covering the ground with wet dots. Suddenly, the sun that played peek a boo hiding behind the clouds now and then hid somewhere allowing the clouds to sing a merry song. It was close to evening, but the dark clouds that now roared loudly, turned the golden evening slowly into a shimmering night.

Ragini peeped out of the kitchen window when she heard the tapping on it. "Baaarish!!", she squealed excitedly, her face instantly lighting up like it did when she saw her husband for six months now. She turned off the gas with a mind to give her cooking a little break. Her special meal for her husband could wait for a few minutes she thought and took quick steps towards the back yard of the bungalow to enjoy the first rains of the season. It was her first in his house too. How much she loved the rains. Not just the rains, the growling sounds of thunder, the musical pitter-patter, the sweet smell of earth and the tantalizing effect of the cold drops on her skin.

Standing at the door, she stretched her hand out, catching the raindrops and smiling at the joy of having them missed and letting them pass through the spaces in between the fingers. The cool breeze cooled her senses teasing her hair and lured her to step out and feel the wetness of rain on every inch of her skin. To feel the ecstasy similar to the feel of his lips on her. She closed her eyes and blushed as thoughts of Nachiket crossed her mind millionth time for the day.

Opening her eyes, she sighed as she hugged herself and rubbed the opposite arms gently and shivered as the rains now wet her naked feet, but she obediently stood there not stepping out. Nachiket had warned her to stay indoors and not go about playing in rain like she wanted to. He was afraid she'd fall sick and that was the last thing he wanted to happen, his precious girl falling sick.

Ragini was so engrossed in watching the rains that she did not realize Nachiket had returned home. She never knew his flight was not delayed and that he had lied to her. He wanted to surprise her, but here he stood surprised himself. The woman he loved standing there quietly unmindful of her surroundings. She had a radiant inner glow on her face. Her playful smile ascertained his presence in her thoughts. He threw his suit and tie carelessly on the table and watched her, waiting to catch her attention.

Her eyes clearly mirrored her feelings. She missed him, missed being engulfed in his strong arms, missed his warm breath on her neck, missed him whispering sweet nothings in her ear, missed his lips scorching her skin, missed him call out her name the way he did.

'Raaagini'

Nachiket's third attempt in drawing her attention failed and he smiled to himself, wondering what would he not give to see this sight forever.

The winds blew stronger and the mild sprays now turned into a heavy downpour. She chuckled as she mentally pictured someone setting the taps up there in the sky from light drizzle to sprays to full fledged downpour. Her heart ached to step out and soak herself.

"I shouldn't have told him about my liking for rain", she cribbed like an upset baby and stomped her foot a little angrily.

Nachiket chuckled, looking at her upset. This couldn't get more entertaining. His wife cursed him yet pined for him. 'Such a cute thing you are Raaagini.', he said to himself and laughed lightly.

Another big whoosh of air is all it took.

Ragini finally stepped out, slowly taking a step at a time and stood in the centre of the backyard. She was clad in a simple red chiffon saree that now clung to her accentuating her curves. The thin silver chain encircling her slender waist glistened through the transparent saree.

Nachiket's breath was lodged in his chest, how could someone look so beautiful? So ethereal? So exquisite? So dainty, elegant, so graceful? The adjectives filled his mind as she posed a picture of all in the rain out there. Not blinking once he watched her every little move.

Very hesitantly, she lifted the edge of her saree and splashed one foot into a puddle of water. A sudden streak of lightning showed off the twinkling anklet on her slender feet. She then jumped right into the puddle splashing water all around her. Inside, Nachiket flinched as if the water was going to spray on him. His gaze returned right back to the silhouette of the female. He was mesmerized as he watched her raise her arms skyward as if she was embracing the rain. She twirled in the rain, unmindful of anything and everything around her. Like she had no care in the world; like this was the only moment that mattered in life.

A flash of lightning streaked across the dark sky, followed by a loud clap of thunder snapped Nachiket out of his reverie. He looked around and realized he was in the present, in India, in his car.

Ragini continued to twirl away in the rain. She loved the rain. Whenever the raindrops touched her skin, she felt that it was washing away all her troubles, all her pain, all her sorrows, everything. She'd always loved the rain; even as a kid. Despite Nachiket's strict warnings that she'd fall ill, Ragini would sneak out onto the terrace and get soaked. The scolding she'd get afterward weren't half as bad after she'd felt the rain on her face. Rain always lifted her spirits, made her happy and more often than not, gave her something...or someone...really important to cherish.

She was drenched to the skin and Nachiket felt a sharp tug of desire in his insides. He swallowed nervously as the urge to walk over and gather her in his arms overtook him. Unmindful of the pouring rain, he stepped out of the car and walked towards her. A few steps later he was standing in front of her, dripping head to toe, but his eyes fixed on her. Their eyes arrested for the longest time and it took a loud thunder to break the spell.

'Mein aa gaya Raagini'

Ragini threw herself in his arms and hugged him tight, just the way she'd hugged him 25 years back with all her might and soul when he returned from his short trip and said the same words. She kissed his face feverishly until her subdued feelings emerged.

Finally, she cried, hiding her face in his chest, she cried to pour out her emotions. She cried to apologize for her unreasonable behavior that distanced her from him. She cried to complain for letting her all alone despite knowing her immaturity. She cried to express her loneliness, she cried to share her grief, she cried to show how her heart ached to see her son in jail, she cried to show her helplessness to see her daughter lying lifeless in the hospital. She cried to show how much she missed him. She cried to show how much she loved him.

Nachiket let her cry in his arms. He just wanted her emotions to be unguarded and let her be herself in front of him since he knew that would only bring the peace she requires.

He caressed her hair and kissed the crown of her head as her sobs subsided. He held her face in his palms and lifted her head up to meet her eyes. The silent exchange of words conveniently wiped out all the misgivings. They were all washed in the rain.

In a split second his lips covered hers, tasting her tears and rain. She melted in his arms, letting him take over her and her heart all over again.

Apart from the crescent moon smiling in the night sky, there was no one in the deserted street to watch this beautiful unison of two parched souls.

The rain mellowed and drops faded into a musical chime celebrating their love. Love never seen before.

The End

Originally posted by: goldstar678

Excellent OS.Thanks for this.

I got my Neira dose for this week all because of you.

Originally posted by: metoyou

Absolutely amazing!

Such a mesmerizing and romantic rain sequence. I loved the way he throws his blazer and tie on the table; it is kinda sexy when guys do that 😳

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It is always a pleasure to read your work!